Alexander Isak is set to return to full team training at Liverpool on Thursday, head coach Arne Slot has confirmed. The Swedish striker has been sidelined since December 20 after breaking his leg in a challenge by Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven during Liverpool's 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Isak, who joined Liverpool for £125 million from Newcastle United, underwent surgery shortly after the injury and has spent nearly four months recovering. His return to training coincides with the return of Liverpool's international players to the AXA Training Centre.
Slot expressed optimism about Isak's progress, noting that Sweden's qualification for the World Cup on Tuesday evening had lifted his spirits. 'If you've worked so hard for three, four months and then to return to team training, that's for everyone very nice,' Slot told Liverpoolfc.com.
The head coach indicated that Isak could be in contention for a place on the bench when Liverpool face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday. 'It's good to have him back because we all know who we signed and we've signed an incredible striker,' Slot added.
In further positive news, Slot confirmed that Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa should be available for the City clash. Salah missed Liverpool's 2-1 defeat at Brighton before the international break with a muscle injury, while Chiesa withdrew from Italy's squad. However, goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains sidelined, and right-back Jeremie Frimpong is set to undergo a scan after coming off injured in the Netherlands' draw with Ecuador.
